Nintendo: Download Store, Browser Won’t Launch With 3DS (Update)

Nintendo 3DS won’t be able to download games or access the Web when it launches, Nintendo said Wednesday. (Note: See our update below.)

Although the company has plans to add a digital games store, Internet browser and other functionality to its $250 3-D gaming handheld, these key features won’t be online when 3DS ships in the U.S. on March 27, Nintendo said in a statement following a press briefing in New York City.

Other functions that won’t be ready for launch include software that allows users to transfer their downloaded Nintendo DSiWare titles from DS to 3DS and the ability to play 3-D movies.

Nintendo did not say when the “eShop” would go online, although it did reiterate that standard DSiWare, new games for 3DS and Virtual Console games from Game Boy and Game Boy Color would be included in the shop when it does.

This is disappointing, to say the least — it’s a temporary problem, but it sends the message that Nintendo really isn’t as serious about downloadable games as it should be at this point. This should have been ready to roll at launch and installed on every single DSi user’s machine. Instead, it’s incumbent upon users to get online and download the update before they can start giving Nintendo (and importantly, indie game developers) money.

Update, 1.21.11: Since the publication of this story, some reports have said that the firmware update containing the eShop and browser would be available the day of the 3DS launch.

Although Nintendo said to Wired.com at the New York City event that the store would launch later, we got this response from Nintendo of America’s Charlie Scibetta when we asked for clarification today:

“Games and services offered by Nintendo can vary by region. Nintendo of America will release additional information about Nintendo eShop, including timing, content and pricing, at a later date.”

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